Sarah was born in 1782 in Armley, Leeds, Yorkshire and her baptism took place there on November 10th, 1782. Sarah's father was Thomas Holmes and her mother was Ann Boys. Her paternal grandparents were John Holms and Mary Mann. She had a brother and three sisters, named Thomas, Mary, Ann and Ann. She was the third oldest of the five children. She died at the age of 3 on January 30th, 1785.